Jacob was born in New York City in 1903. Teddy Kaplan describes his meeting with Jacob, and is amazed by his abilities, both physical and mental. He asked Jacob what he did in his life in order to reach the ripe old age of 105 years. Jacob gave several reasons: 1) Heredity 2) Special diet 3) Physical activity 4) Smoking: he was a very light smoker and stopped smoking at the age of 35. 5) Drinking: he enjoyed a glass of wine or beer. "I cannot think of anything else in which my lifestyle was different from that of other people. I am lucky, or maybe it is simply fate".

For over thirty years Stella Padeh has been volunteering for ESRA in different capacities. In fact, she was one of ESRA’s first volunteers back in 1979. Stella has a very special place in the ESRA Magazine as she typed the first magazines on her bedroom balcony in her apartment in Herzliya. Thank you Stella for epitomizing and embodying the Spirit of ESRA, for always being there for ESRA, always doing for ESRA, being ESRA in Modiin.

Rika Meyerowitz, long time ESRA volunteer, laughingly calls herself a "shlepper" since item collection has been one of her many tasks. Never daunted, Rika, a role model in the highest sense for volunteering, was coordinator of ESRAmagazine distribution, chairperson of the Herzliya branch, one of the initiators of Netanya Food Pantry, and much more.

Rachel and Jack Luck celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary surrounded by many family and friends and in pride of place was a special greeting received from Her Majesty the Queen of England.

Obituary in memory of a much respected personality who was Rabbi of the Prestwich Higher Synagogue and something of a legend for many years in the north Manchester area of England for his selfless efforts. Through his tireless work with Yad LeAchim, he was also well-known in the USA.

Warm thanks to Anne-Rita Midttun from Oslo Norway, who has been collecting funds for the Hand in Hand Food Pantry project. Her generosity and kindness, and that of the Norway community, are much appreciated.

Pardes Hannna has a modern attractive hairdressing salon. It opened in June 2008 and is run by Lisa Kuperman an experienced stylist from London.

The Jewish community in Denver is supporting two Ethiopian families in Netanya. This is through the foresight and generosity of Hinda Raphaela Pottas-Buchbinder a high flyer in the financial services industry and the project she has set up.